Star duo Matthew Pavlich and Michael Walters won't cause Fremantle a selection headache this week - unless they get a headache themselves.
Pavlich and Walters were concussed during last week's win over Melbourne, but the pair have been cleared to play against the Bombers on Saturday night after passing concussion tests.
Both players joined their teammates on the training track on Thursday before the session went behind closed doors, and coach Ross Lyon has his fingers crossed the pair won't suffer any setbacks before Saturday's match at Domain Stadium.
"As long as they're symptom-free they're available to play," Lyon said on Thursday.
"But then it really comes up to the individual as well.
"If there was any concern whatsoever it wouldn't even be a discussion. Clearly there's no concerns as we speak now.
"But that can change and shift quickly; we know that.
"I'm optimistic on both but no guarantee on either."
The likely availability of both Walters and Pavlich is a huge boost to the ladder-leading Dockers as they attempt to win their sixth straight match.
Key defender Zac Dawson has recovered from a long-standing groin issue.
But with fellow key position players Alex Silvagni (hamstring) and Michael Apeness (knee) set to miss the next three months, Dawson is likely to be given another full week of training before making his return via the WAFL.
Essendon's form has been patchy this season.
But they will take some confidence from beating Fremantle in Perth in two of their past three meetings there.
Fremantle sit a game clear on top of the table following their barnstorming start to the season, but Lyon isn't getting carried away.
"We're 5-0 but those five wins aren't going to count when the ball is bounced," Lyon said.
"It's about what you get done on the night and the past is irrelevant really."
Saturday's match will be Lyon's 200th game as coach, with the 49-year-old spending 121 of those at St Kilda before heading to Fremantle at the end of 2011.
Midfielder David Mundy said Lyon had played a key role in turning Fremantle into a premiership contender.
"He's a demanding, perfectionist coach, and he's got a photographic memory," Mundy said.
"He knows what he wants and how to get it. He's been fantastic for this club and my football, and I think we've got a long way to go with Ross."
But while Pavlich and Walters were named in Fremantle's side, veteran defender Luke McPharlin was ruled out because of calf soreness, paving the way for Alex Pearce to make his AFL debut.
Essendon replaced Dustin Fletcher (groin) and Kyle Langford (dropped) with James Gwilt and Jackson Merrett.
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